The federal government’s efforts to remove immigrants seems to be gaining steam at Kent State University, which now tallies the number of international students whose visas have been revoked at 10.
The university is aware of three current students and seven recent graduates with Optional Practical Training post-graduate work permits who have been affected, Kent State Media Relations Director Emily Vincent told The Portager in an April 17 email.
Declining further comment, Vincent referred The Portager to university President Todd Diacon’s April 4 statement to students, faculty and staff. At that point, the number of student visas revoked was four.
Diacon stated that “similar occurrences” had been reported at several other Ohio universities. The federal government did not give the university advance notice on any of the revocations. Nor was the university informed of the reasons for those decisions. Kent State staff are doing their best to contact the students to ensure they are aware of their change in status, Diacon wrote.
He reminded international students and faculty to have a copy of their documents with them at all times and to place additional copies with local friends and/or family members “should those documents become necessary to produce.”
People contacted by law enforcement officials should remain calm and professional at all times and immediately contact both Kent State police at 330-672-2212 and the university’s Office of General Counsel at 330-672-2982 for assistance, Diacon wrote. Faculty and students on Kent State’s regional campuses are directed to contact the campus security office.
“There are many factors here beyond our control, but we will continue to engage with law enforcement and our campus partners to make sure our university community is informed with the latest guidance,” Diacon wrote.
Recognizing that “for many, this news is upsetting,” he encouraged those in need to reach out to the Office of the Dean of Students or Kent State’s Counseling and Psychological Services at 330-672-2487.
Portage County is home to not only Kent State, but also Hiram College and Northeast Ohio Medical University. The concerns for international students predate a recently announced agreement between the Portage County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, though the agreement could heighten them.
Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski has signed an agreement with ICE allowing sheriff’s deputies to interrogate, arrest and incarcerate anyone they believe to be an undocumented immigrant, with or without a warrant.
Kent City Council members addressed the issue during their April 16 session, when Council Member Jack Amrhein told his colleagues he had overheard an international student telling her friend the visa revocations scared her.
“I wanted to say don’t be afraid, everything will be all right, but I couldn’t. I didn’t know that for sure,” Amrhein said.
While debating — and ultimately postponing — a decision about approving funds for 14 automated license plate readers to be installed at all exits to the city and at strategic locations downtown, Council Member Robin Turner expressed his concerns.
“Could we be using technology which could be used against people in this community, especially being a university town, with a chief law enforcement officer who is wedded to a MAGA movement?” Turner asked.
Council Member Roger Sidoti said neither he nor council can stop Zuchowski from exercising his legal authority, but said he “abhors” what he understands ICE is able to do.
“I think we’re faced with what we’re faced with, and we’ve got to stand together,” Sidoti said. “The way we stand together is that we speak out about the atrocities that we feel are happening and, at the same time, understand we got to do everything we can to protect us.”
The council members’ concerns echoed those expressed by community members at the beginning of the meeting.
Noting that the federal government has deported hundreds of people to El Salvador without court proceedings, Kent resident Sandra Halem told council that people feel safer if they know their rights and know their legal due process will be respected.
“We are justifiably concerned that both our sense of safety and justice may be compromised in this town we call our home,” she said. “If officers come into Kent, will our safety forces, their information systems and assets, including the safety cameras, if adopted, be used to assist in the arrest or deportation of any person targeted?”
Also expressing concern about the sheriff’s agreement with ICE was Kent resident Christen Wood, who asked for reassurance that council would do what it could to protect city residents. Student visas are being revoked “suddenly and without cause, as best we can figure,” she said.
She received none.
City Manager Dave Ruller told The Portager that the issue is between Kent State and the sheriff’s office, not the city of Kent. He stated that it is hypothetical to surmise that Kent’s international community may be concerned about the sheriff’s new authority, and that such questions “are outside the purview of the city government.”
Hiram College
Village Mayor Anne Haynam said international students and faculty have long been a part of the fabric of Hiram’s community.
“They enrich the experience on campus and are valued community members. We want them to feel safe in our community and thrive during their time at the college,” she stated in an email to The Portager.
Haynam stated that everyone needs to abide by the law, and that the enforcement of those laws “needs to reinforce long held traditions of due process based on evidence and backed by a judicial review system. My hope is that state and local law enforcement will not be distracted by federal law enforcement and maintain their focus on local needs,” she concluded.
A Hiram College spokesperson stated that all international students at Hiram College are in the U.S. legally, having completed a rigorous student visa application process.
“We remain hopeful that no student will face visa status issues,” the spokesperson said. “Hiram College provides dedicated support through our international student adviser, who works closely with each student to navigate the visa process and maintain good standing.
“While we do not anticipate broad concerns, we are prepared to evaluate any issues on a case-by-case basis and offer individualized assistance. If challenges do arise, we will provide informational resources to help students contact legal counsel to navigate the situation.”
NEOMED
Rootstown is home to NEOMED, which did not respond to The Portager’s request for comment. Township Trustees David McIntyre and Brett Housley declined comment, and The Portager was unable to reach trustee Joe Paulus.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.